. Dan Ferrara

I graduated from Tougaloo College with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science in 1992. I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2002 with a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and American College of Education in 2009 with a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership. I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and a Life Member of the National Alumni Association of Tougaloo College.

I began my teaching career in 1992 at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT. I was a high school mathematics teacher at George Westinghouse Career Academy High School and Frederick Douglass Academy High School for ten years. I also served as as a High School Transformation Mathematics Coach and Diplomas Now Coach for six years.

I am the mother of two children and a wife of twenty three years.

List of favorites

Color - Blue

Snack Food - Popcorn

Ice Cream Flavor - Black Walnut

Artist - Marvin Gaye

Sports - Basketball

Team - Los Angeles Lakers

Player- Ervin "Magic" Johnson

Movies - The Color Purple, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Rush Hour

Interests - Gardening, Family, Reading, and Long Vacations

I am Mr. Armando Rodriguez. As the new Principal of Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, it has been a sincere pleasure and honor to become a member of this great school community. I have always been a teacher. As a child growing up in Mexico, I used the bulletin board in my home as a blackboard for instructing my friends. Even when I worked as an electrical engineer, I most enjoyed the part of my job that involved teaching my colleagues, so the eventual transition to the classroom came naturally for me. My greatest initiative is to provide the leadership that will facilitate a school environment to provide differentiated instruction to meet the needs of each student to the best of our ability.

Before coming to Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, my entire career has been within CPS and the corporate sector. I’ve been working in CPS for the last 19 years, in the capacities of a bilingual teacher, technology coordinator, bilingual coordinator, bilingual instructional coach and principal. In my years working with CPS, I’ve always combined my electronics engineering background and my teaching career. I hold a Master’s degree in Urban Education from Columbia College, Master degree in Educational Leadership from Chicago State University, Bachelor’s of Science in Electronics Engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico and several courses from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

After working as a bilingual teacher and instructional coach, I took the reins at George Washington Elementary School, which under my leadership was designated three times as an Illinois Spotlight School and a two time winner of the National Excellence in Urban Education Award, in 2014 and 2015. My strategy included creating systems of support for teachers, integrating technology in the classroom, parent and community involvement, and taking immediate, intensive action on any issue that distracted from student learning.

When discipline issues arose some years ago, I implemented specialized training with my teachers to combat the problem. This training resulted in no students being suspended out of school from Washington during the 2013-2014 school year and only a few suspensions the following year. I believe strongly in collaboration, not just among teachers, but among our students. At Washington I implemented a seminar program that allowed students in sixth through eighth grades to come together during the school day for instruction in robotics, yoga, creative writing, and numerous other disciplines. In addition to reinforcing Common Core concepts, these seminars successfully broke down barriers between age groups and gave teachers the chance to display talents that might not have had a place in their daily classrooms.

I have also been an avid proponent in the use of technology in the classroom. Washington has some of the most up-to-date equipment available for the staff and students including interactive projectors in every classroom, a fully equipped computer lab, iPads, laptops, and Chromebooks available for classwork and testing school wide. The technology to pupil ratio when I left to come to Goode was 1:1.

In the last several years, my goal was for Washington to be a STEM school. With that in mind, I pushed technology, advanced our curriculum and teaching practices, bought Science equipment, entered Science and Math competitions, and dabbled in Robotics.

I have now accomplished my dream of overseeing a STEM school. It is both a privilege and a challenge to be able to do this at Sarah E. Goode Stem Academy, where our students, in this new, innovative, 6 year time frame will receive excellent education and career opportunities.

They will walk away with not only a high school diploma, but an Associate’s Degree in AAS with the help of our corporate sponsorship and Chicago City Colleges. The only way in which all of us are going to ensure successful college and career readiness for our students is working together. My doors will be always open to you.

I have often been asked why did I go into education? There are so many reasons why that here I am twenty years later still trying to compose a succinct answer to such a loaded question. I never thought after receiving my Bachelor of Arts in English from Morehouse College, I would stumble into a career, no a lifestyle that would be the driving force behind my passion in life.

To date, I have received a Masters in Teaching and a Masters in Administration and Leadership. I am currently pursuing my PhD in Reading and Literacy. I believe in doing whatever it takes to ensure that I give my students all of the necessary tools they need to find a place in this world or make one.

Not only am I one of the English teachers for the Senior class, I am also the sponsor for the Drama Club as well as the director for the Fall play, "A Raisin in the Sun".

Mr. Chu is a math and financial literacy teacher at SEG. Prior to his teaching career he was a senior auditor for a small accounting firm in the Chicagoland area. During this time, he traveled and worked with several companies in the financial/banking, manufacturing, government, and non-profit industries. Despite the change in careers, Mr. Chu still enjoys keeping up with the business world and always strives to bring his own experiences and stories into the classroom.

Hello All,

This is Cecelia Towns-Scott, your resident Early College and Career Coordinator. I'm a CPS graduate with a B.A. from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH in International Affairs with Business and an M.A. from Teacher's College in New York in Higher and Post-secondary Education. I absolutely loved college and was fortunate enough to have people in place to guide me in making the most of my experiences. My job here is to help the Goode Innovators in the same way as they explore their college and career options freshman through senior year.

If you have any questions about college, the early college program with Daley College, or your career plans and options, please don't hesitate to ask me. I work with our amazing counseling department here to ensure that the Goode Innovators have all of the information they need to reach the current and post-secondary goals they're striving to accomplish.

I am Mr. Rufino Bustos. As one of the new Assistant Principals of Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, it has been a sincere pleasure and honor to become a member of this great school community. I am truly passionate about education and the success of all students.

Before I came to Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, I was an Assistant Principal at Washington Elementary. I have spent many years working in CPS, particularly in Bilingual/Bicultural Education. I graduated from Chicago State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Bilingual/Bicultural Education and a concentration in Math. Additionally, I have a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Governors State Park University.

I enjoy playing sports and would rather be out doing something at the park than in the house. I always work hard at improving in whatever I do and I'm very competitive.

Please feel free to stop by my office at any time if you need anything.

Hi I'm Mr. Devine. I am new to Sarah Goode Stem Academy this year, making the transition to High School. I have been in Chicago for the last two years completing my Master's Degree in Teaching and am looking forward to a great year at Goode!

Mrs. Gronholm is in her 11th year as a CPS English Teacher, and her 2nd year here at Goode. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Theatre and English from St. Mary's University of Minnesota, and her Master's Degree in Secondary Education from St. Xavier University. Mrs. Gronholm pursued a career in teaching because she wanted to share her love of literature with others. She is the mom of two young children, and enjoys traveling, theatre, and spending time with friends and family. If you're looking to discuss the Real Housewives of any city, she's your girl!

As I enter my 20th year in CPS, and 4th at Goode, it is important to remember why I continue to love my job. I get to expose innovators to new and exciting events, people, ideas - both past and present - help them build skills, and ultimately encourage them become upstanders and active citizens in their local, state, and national communities. At Goode we do college - and in my class - Contemporary American History - innovators are challenged the way a 100 or 200 level college history course will challenge them!

After graduating from DePaul University with my MA in Education, I have had the opportunity to teach freshman through seniors (World History, Civics, United States History, Contemporary American History, Latin American History, Ethnic Studies, History through Novels and Films, Advanced Placement United States History, Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, Human Geography, and ...), work with amazing people and lead them as department chair, and even curriculum coordinator - but always gravitating back to the classroom where all the excitement and energy is!

Travel and politics are my passion - and red, white, and blue are my three favorite colors!

Welcome to my staff page!

I aim to teach students about the wonderful world of mathematics through engaging them with rigorous real world problems. Please feel free to reach out with any questions by emailing me.

This is a series of video tutorials and quizzes on how to solve a system of equations by graphing.

My name is Kyle Birch and I am a math instructor at Goode. I am originally from Kankakee Illinois and attended Illinois State University for my undergraduate degree. I spent my first two years teaching at Marshall High School and have been at Goode since we opened in 2012. In my spare time, I enjoy remodeling homes and using my carpentry skills. I also enjoy spending times coaching as I serve at the varsity coach for the girls basketball team at Goode.

Welcome!

A brief introduction...

I graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelors in Psychology and from Dominican University with a Master's in Library and Information Science. I have over 15 years working in Libraries. I have worked in Public, Private, School, and University libraries. I enjoy working with children and their parents which is why I am here. I have two children of my own, a 15 and 10 yr old. They both attend CPS schools. I myself am also a product of public education.

I believe in libraries and the power and freedom they offer all citizens. My mission is to ensure that all of the students, staff and the greater school community of Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy have an inspirational space to work and collaborate out of. Everybody deserves a space they can feel safe and supported in and the library is the place for this. I welcome any feedback and suggestions. I look forward to working with each of you and am confident that this will be a wonderful year.

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'."

----Dan Rather

As a Diverse Learners Instructor and Department Chair, I seek to ensure that all students are receiving an equitable education. My teaching philosophy begins with "All students can learn." I work with all administrators, teachers, clinicians and staff in the building to make sure that students are receiving the services needed to be successful in school and in life.

I have a degree in Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Chicago State University, a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University and a Master of Education-Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition to these degrees, I began my post-secondary matriculation at Clark Atlanta University where I studied Mass Media Arts-Public Relations.

I am excited to have begun my teaching career at Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy and look forward to many years here ensuring that all students learn and achieve their dreams!

The Driver Education Program is a two-phase program. The first phase will be the classroom and it will be taught at Goode for 5.5 weeks. The two phases consist of classroom and behind the wheel (on street driving), which exceed the requirements set by the State of Illinois.

Students must receive a passing grade in a minimum of eight (8) courses during the previous two (2) semesters in order to take drivers education. Upon completion of the classroom phase students must complete an application for an instructional permit to the Secretary of State with a check for $20.00 (made payable to the secretary of state) along with passing a written permit test and vision test. This documentation will be given to the driver ed. director at Bogan high school where students will take the second phase of drivers education, the behind the wheel portion. Students may enroll at Bogan high school for their summer class which typically begins in July (more info to follow). Students may attend an outside commercial driving school if they choose to do so.

Students must pass both the classroom and driving phases in order to be eligible to get their license. They must also attend a minimum of thirty 30 hours of classroom and drive for a total (BTW) of six (6) hours. State law also requires each student to complete fifty (50) hours of practice driving with an adult (outside of class) to qualify for an Illinois license. Ten (10) of those hours must be in night driving conditions. These fifty (50) hours must be documented on the student driver log sheet.

Passing Drivers Education is a Chicago Public Schools graduation requirement. Due to the minimum State requirement of 30 classroom hours students that are absent or tardy frequently may not meet the minimum requirements and therefore would not pass the course and would have to retake it in order to graduate and move forward with the second phase of the driver education course.

Michelle Suttmeier is the Program Manager of Early College and STEM Initiatives at Sarah Goode STEM Academy. Ms. Suttmeier made the transition to this role from the 9th grade English classroom where she successfully prepared freshman students to thrive throughout high school by teaching them the skills they would need to be successful. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University at Albany in upstate New York where she then went on to attain her Master’s of Science in Secondary Education. Ms. Suttmeier is in her third year both in the Chicagoland area, and at Goode, and she takes pride in the college-going culture of our school.

As the ECSS Program Manager, Ms. Suttmeier is responsible for the management, administration, and execution of key program elements of the Early College Stem School (ECSS) program model, including but not limited to: dual enrollment at colleges/universities, mentorship programs, internship programs, college visits, STEM-related enrichment opportunities, industry site visits, job shadows, and more. Ms. Suttmeier is positioned at Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy in order to further the school-wide integration of STEM programs and practices.

I currently teach World Studies and United States History at Goode. I have experience working with students with diverse learning needs and teaching Advanced Placement and Honors courses.

I have a BA in Pre-Law and Spanish from Northern Illinois University and an M.Ed from National Louis University.

My name is Vince Ramirez and I am a math instructor at Goode. Prior to teaching I was a systems technician for AT&T in the greater Chicagoland area. I received my teaching license through Northwestern University and the Inner-City Teaching Corps class of 2010. In my classroom we will be exploring video based learning through a flipped classroom model as well as integrating the Texas Instruments nspire CX calculator. In my spare time I enjoy bass fishing, boating, and spending time with my family.

Hello Goode Community!

I am a History/Diverse Learner teacher here at Goode. I teach Freshman World History and Sophomore U.S. History.

I have my Bachelors in Social Studies, Master's Degree in Special Education, and a Second Master's in English as a Second Language. I started my teaching career subbing in Wisconsin before moving to Illinois. I have previously taught in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago and in Blue Island.

At Goode, I coach both Boy's and Girl's Soccer. I am the head Fresh/Soph coach and the assistant Girl's Varsity coach.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out! I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at various school events.

Tina Edwards is an adjunct professor in the College of Education at National-Louis University where she also earned her Doctorate of Education in Reading and Language. Tina has a B.A. in Speech and a MS. Ed in the teaching of reading from Chicago State University. She is a member of the International Literacy Association, the Chicago Area Reading Association, the Illinois Reading Council and the Illinois Language and Literacy Council. She was a 2005 Disney Teacher Award Nominee, and was honored in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2004 and 2005.

Tina has spent more than 16 years serving Chicago Public School’s youth. She worked as a District Literacy Specialist for 3 years, a school-based literacy coach for 4 years and as a middle school reading and writing teacher for 10 years, during which time she brought to the classroom, knowledge, passion, understanding and dedication. She considers her ability to inspire and uplift students to be her greatest gift as an educator.

During her spare time, Tina enjoys reading young adult literature, playing basketball and watching old episodes of CSI Miami.